Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20 near Fort Meade, MD — 2015-11-22

Final reportERA16LA046
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Date
2015-11-22
Location
Fort Meade, MD, USA
Airport
FME
Aircraft
MOONEY M20
Registration
N5512Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that, during the initial climb after takeoff, the airplane's climb rate seemed "lethargic." The pilot elected to remain in the airport traffic pattern, and after turning onto the downwind leg, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot was unable to maintain adequate airspeed to reach the runway and landed adjacent to the runway. The right wing and engine firewall were damaged during the forced landing. A postaccident test run of the engine using the fuel onboard at the time of the accident did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after noting the lethargic climb rate.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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